What a crock ...
Anyone notice the condescension, hypocrisy and sheer effrontery exhibited by three County Council members from West Hawaii toward the Fifth District last week?
Council members Angel Pilago (North Kona), Brenda Ford (South Kona), and Chairman Pete Hoffmann (Kohala) all suggested that they would support a petition for a referendum to ban marijuana eradication by helicopter, but they would not vote for a Council resolution that would do exactly that.
They could have joined Council members Bob Jacobson and Emily Naeole in a majority voice of the Council saying no to the $282,000 federal grant, which Councilwoman Naeole has told them causes needless heartache and suffering for people in her district.
Don't they believe her? Or would they rather go the route that will continue doing damage to the Puna community because they wouldn't want anyone confusing them with leaders who don't need the political safety net of a referendum when they could do what's right themselves. If that's not why, perhaps Councilman Pilago, who wants to be mayor, would respond and explain.
Meanwhile, the public outcry against accepting the marijuana eradication grant has been overwhelming to the point of annoying to the Council on occasion. On Wednesday, the paper reported that of 57 people testifying about the grant, 50 were against accepting it. Yet for some reason those numbers don't carry the same weight as testimony in favor of the smoking ban at County parks and beaches. On that, Hoffman was swayed by the numbers of people testifying:
"It's pretty lopsided," Hoffmann said. "I'm surprised it's as lopsided as it is. I think people are pretty much fed up and consider it a health hazard."
He could have said the same about the marijuana eradication grant.
In the meantime, if the Council passes the smoking ban over Mayor Kim's veto, I suggest we start using helicopters to fly low over the beaches on a regular basis to bust nicotine addicts. Makes just as much sense.
Hunter Bishop
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Reader Comments (4)
Jane
Helicopters.
We all know when and where this technology got its start.
Very effective observation, and mobile force deployment capabilities; if a bit vulnerable to ground fire.
For use outside a combat zone, they work just fine (no pun intended) for traffic enforcement: speeding, illegal passing, wide-tires, etc.
And illegal dump sites must be very visible from 500' , especially if that is what is being looked for.
However, having the most dangerous and deadly roads in the state and an epidemic of illegal dumping are a much lower priority than garden parties.
Kim
Things should be a little easier for Puna now, Emily getting you guys aaccess to some real money every year to work on projects that improve the lives of the little guy out in the boonies. Thats a pretty big hurdle she overcame for people in Lava zones 1 and 2. You don't u sually get that break from government.
Go make your urgent care facility. Find out the track record, Who will be your staff? Avoid the screwdriver doctor, or the screwdriver bookkeeper or sickly or pro coffee break staff. Avoid wasting the $$ and good luck!